A loop of St Mary's Loch

Hiking trails & Routes

A loop of St Mary's Loch

Moderate

4.6

(19)

126

hikers

A loop of St Mary's Loch

03:03

11.7km

80m

Hiking

Embark on a moderate hike around St Mary's Loch, the largest natural lake in the Scottish Borders. This 7.3-mile (11.7 km) loop takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete, with a gentle elevation gain of 277 feet (84 metres). You will find varied terrain, from well-worn paths to…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

422 m

St Mary's Loch

Highlight • Viewpoint

St Mary's Loch is set amidst the stunning scenery of the Yarrow Valley. The largest natural lake in the Scottish Borders, St Mary's edges the historic Ettrick Forest, a place …

Tip by

1.43 km

March Wood

Highlight • Trail

March Wood is a community woodland in the Yarrow Valley sitting on west the bank of St Mary’s loch and stretching along the fringe of Bowerhope Law and located along …

Tip by

1.65 km

St Mary's Loch

Highlight (Segment) • Lake

This stunning section of the Southern Upland Way takes you right along St Mary’s Loch, the largest natural lake in the Scottish Borders. Surrounded by a ring of hills, its crystal-clear waters reflect the rolling landscape wonderfully.

Tip by

11.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.38 km

2.97 km

2.65 km

2.15 km

324 m

249 m

Surfaces

5.06 km

3.76 km

2.65 km

249 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 20 October

11°C

4°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: -- km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 1, 2023,A loop of St Mary's Loch short

Starting and finishing at the carpark at point B. Lots of helpful signage now so very little on the actual A708. Footpaths alongside.

September 18, 2024,St Mary's loch loop

Absolutely brilliant weather for breathtaking scenery in the beautiful Scottish Boarders. St Marys Loch is a 13 k loop but we added the view from the hill above the St Marys graveyard ( because of the nice day and we got a bit lost on the way down so don't follow that bit) theres a great cafe at the end …